Pet stores are full of unsupervised electrical appliances and live animals. Because of this potentionally dangerous combination, you would think that fire safety would be a top priority. However, it seems like hardly a month goes by without a pet store somewhere across the country going up in flames, with most or all of the animals inside perishing.

In 2007, a February 13th fire forced the evacuation of a Dothan, Tennessee pet store and the death of nine animals, but just a few hours later the store was open again for business, urging people to "come pick out a pet for their loved ones for Valentine's Day".

Fire officials believe a South Carolina pet store fire that occured on November 2nd started in a roof-mounted heating and air-conditioning unit. All of the birds and some of the reptiles in the store were killed.

On May 31st, all the animals inside a Hialeah, Forida pet shop died after fire destroyed the building they were in. Firefighters said they had a difficult time getting inside the store because of burglar bars on the windows.

Dozens of animals were killed and 11 firefighters were injured when a three-alarm fire broke out in Bob's Tropical Pet Center in Queens, NY. In 2004, a similar pet store fire killed over one thousand animals in Long Island. In 2002, an Upper Manhattan inferno killed over 200 animals.

A Los Angeles fire started from the neon sign attached to the stucco wall over the store’s front door. The fire killed 15 birds, five fish in the in-store pond, two water turtles and a guinea pig. Eight puppies were treated for smoke inhalation at a local veterinary hospital.

A fire that killed more than two-dozen exotic snakes, frogs, fish, and other reptiles in a Cambridge, MA pet shop was deliberately set by a disgruntled employee, who attempted to place the blame on "animal terrorists".

These animals were essentially cooked inside their cages. Firefighters were put in harm's way, some injured. What is most unfortunate is that all of these fires could have been quickly extinguished, or even prevented, with proper fire safety.

FIRE DANGER IN PET STORES

Pet stores are particularly susceptible to fires for several reasons:

• Highly flammable bedding materials (newspaper, wood shavings) are used around unsecured heat producing appliances (heat lights);


• Animals are allowed to come into close contact with heat sources and other electrical appliances;


• Heat lights are left unattended on plastic screen tops, which can melt;


• Terrariums are not lifted off the surface when undertank heating is employed;


• Too many pieces of equipment are plugged into outlets not rated to handle the amount of wattage demanded;


• Employees fail to pay attention to fraying cords;


• Flammable cage products are used - instead of 'self extinguishing' PVC. Obviously any wood products can and will burn.

FIRE SAFETY IN PET STORES

It is important that stores pay careful attention to the placement and condition of all electrical equipment. They should never overload electrical circuits, power bars, or extension cords.

All terrariums and other cages should be inspected before heating. All flammable materials (bedding, fake plants, other terrarium furnishings) should always be kept away from intense heating bulbs or emitters.

Fire extinguishers and alarms should always be present and all employees should know where they are located.

Provisions should be made for the swift removal of animals from the premises, in the case of emergency.

SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES

Automatic fire sprinkler systems control or extinguish fires in less time than it takes for the fire department to arrive. Small building sprinkler systems are now available for around $1-2/sq ft.

In New York, the League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV-NYC) is attemtpting to make it a law that all pet stores in the city be equipped with fire sprinklers.

"We have been pushing for a sprinkler requirement for years," said John Phillips, LOHV-NYC's Executive Director "if you're going to shelter animals for extended periods of time, you should be doing everything in your power to ensure their welfare. Letting the animals under your care burn to death is cruel and irresponsible."

A sprinkler system should be present in every pet store. Considering that there's so much to lose, it's hard to believe that most pet stores don't have them already.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Support legislation requiring pet stores install fire sprinklers. Currently, California is the only state in the country specifically requiring pet stores to have "a fire alarm or sprinkler system meeting certain requirements".

Encourage your local pet store to install fire sprinklers. A system can be easily added during any remodeling for only $1-2 a square foot.

Also suggest that the store checks its fire alarms.

If you see a possible fire hazard (unsecured heat lamp, overheating filter, etc.), by all means, let the store owners know!